Criminal case has been opened against founder of Wagner
2023.02.03 10:49
Criminal case has been opened against founder of Wagner
By Tiffany Smith
Budrigannews.com – Ukraine promised to pursue and prosecute Wagner mercenary company fighters who attempt to flee abroad and revealed a criminal case against the company’s boss on Friday.
Wagner, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman who is an ally of President Vladimir Putin, has recruited thousands of fighters, some of whom have been convicted in Russian prisons, to fight in Ukraine. According to Prigozhin, his organization played a crucial role in the most recent, bloodiest warfights in the east of Ukraine.
In a Facebook statement, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin stated, “The Prosecutor General’s Office has served a notice of suspicion to the head of the private military company ‘Wagner’.” that did not specifically mention Prigozhin.
“Thousands of war crimes are directly attributed to this group’s leader. He freely admits his part in the war against Ukraine and, with the approval of the Kremlin, solves staff problems by recruiting tens of thousands of prisoners.
Prigozhin did not immediately respond with a response. He denied the allegations made by the United States against Wagner a month ago, and the Kremlin claimed that Washington had been unfairly disparaging Wagner for years.
A “notice of suspicion” is required to be given to criminal suspects in Ukraine’s criminal code. The statement did not specify how Prigozhin could have received such a notice.
Kostin made a list of accusations against Wagner, some of which included violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine and waging an aggressive war. He stated that Wagner mercenaries of all ranks, including those who fled abroad, would be held accountable.
According to Kostin, Ukraine would send Oslo a “request for investigative actions” regarding a former Wagner commander who was arrested in Norway last month.
Kostin stated:
“I am certain with international partners we will ensure comprehensive responsibility both for every criminal who came to our land with weapons in his hands and for their patrons who do business in blood.”
